Uranium mine expansion to damage marine life, leave huge radioactive wastes
plans for the desalination plant would pose a major risk to local marine life……..”Under no circumstances should the governments 
involved in the assessment of the supplementary EIS approve of this desalination plant,”
it will dump more than two cubic kilometres of radioactive tailings over an area measuring up to 44 square kilometres,” Senator Ludlum said.
“The new open pit proposed will leak over eight million litres of radioactive liquids every day.”
OLympic Dam Mine Expansion ‘Staggering’ ninemsn news, 31 May 11 BHP Billiton’s proposed expansion at its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia would make it the biggest mine in the world. The figures involved are simply staggering……….the whole site, with its production and support facilities, will cover an area of about 30 square kilometres, a fair chunk of Adelaide’s metropolitan area……
Like the original environmental impact statement, the SEIS is a monstrous document.
It runs to several thousand pages and includes the company’s response to more than 4000 government, community and private submissions……
But the project has it detractors.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has urged the company to reconsider its environmental assessments to take into account the recent nuclear crisis in Japan.
The ACF said the SEIS did not address the risks from Australian uranium being used in nuclear reactors overseas.
“BHP Billiton has released a mammoth document that completely dodges the question of international responsibility,” campaigner David Noonan said.
“BHP Billiton hopes to lock in the world’s largest uranium project in the shadow of the continuing nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan.”
The Greens also continue to raise concerns and believe BHP Billiton has largely ignored the issues raised by the community since its original environmental impact statement in 2009.
South Australian Greens MP Mark Parnell said plans for the desalination plant would pose a major risk to local marine life.
Jochen Kaempf, associate professor from the School of the Environment at Flinders University, has also urged the state government to reject the proposed desalination plant.
Prof Kaempf said it was “extremely sad and frustrating” that alternative options had not been seriously considered.
“Under no circumstances should the governments involved in the assessment of the supplementary EIS approve of this desalination plant,” he said.
“Approval would be evidence of gross failure of the environment protection legislation in Australia.”
Mr Parnell said he was also concerned to maximise the return to taxpayers from the Olympic Dam expansion by insisting that mineral processing be conducted in South Australia, rather than overseas….
Greens Senator Scott Ludlum said the mine could also leave South Australia with a “toxic legacy”.
“Instead of burying the radioactive tailings waste in a properly lined pit, BHP Billiton says it will dump more than two cubic kilometres of tailings over an area measuring up to 44 square kilometres,” Senator Ludlum said.
“The new open pit proposed will leak over eight million litres of radioactive liquids every day.”
Before it can proceed, the Olympic Dam expansion now needs final approval from the SA and federal governments and the final go-ahead from the BHP Billiton board.
Government decisions are expected by the end of this year with the board likely to announce its decision in early 2012. Premier Rann said about 25 issues remained to be resolved……http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8255527/olympic-dam-mine-expansion-staggering
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1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 
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